The radiant light, unhindered and inconceivable, eradicates suffering and brings realization of joy; the excellent Name, perfectly embodying all practices, eliminates obstacles and dispels doubt. This is the teaching and practice for our latter age; devote yourself solely to it. It is eye and limb in this defiled world; do not fail to endeavor in it. Accepting and living the supreme, universal Vow, then, abandon the defiled and aspire for the pure. Reverently embracing the Tathagata's teaching, respond in gratitude to his benevolence and be thankful for his compassion.

~ Shinran Shonin, Passages on the Pure Land Way

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Walking with Rennyo: Total Reliance

(6) Total Reliance

Rennyo said, “Namu
is kimyo, the mind relying exclusively on Amida Buddha. Hotsugan Eko is ‘transference’
of virtues and merit from Amida Buddha at the moment of total reliance. The
expressive form is namuamidabutsu.”

In
the Mahayana, we often hear of “merit transference” (Japanese hotsugan eko, sometimes translated as “directing
of virtue”). Here, Master Rennyo reminds us of what this essential concept means
in our Jodo Shinshu tradition. Amida Buddha, who perceives and knows the thoughts
and delusions of all small and foolish sentient beings such as ourselves, freely transfers the illimitable virtue of His Vow-mind to us. This transference occurs right at the instant
we come to rely on the Buddha for our liberation from Samsara, and not
before.

Master
Rennyo is clearly referring here to a passage of Master Shan-tao: “Namu [homage] means ‘to take refuge’ [kimyo]. It further
signifies aspiring for birth and directing virtue. Amida-butsu is the practice. Because of this import, one
necessarily attains birth” (KGSS II:30). In other words, because of the mind and practice which the Buddha directs to us, we attain birth in the Pure Land.

It seems to me that if
Amida were anything other than a Buddha—that is, a fully enlightened being of
perfect compassion and wisdom—then our faith in Him would be
impossible. One of the fundamental principles of all Buddhist schools is that
worship may only be rightly accorded to those who are worthy of it. We sometimes hear people say, “Trust must be earned.” By promising to
rescue us from our delusion and pain, and by furthermore laboring tirelessly to
fulfill this promise throughout incalculable ages, Amida has assured all beings that He
is indeed the Buddha, capable of bringing all their aspirations to fulfillment through the power of His Vow.
It is the parent’s virtue that awakens the child’s affection; such love cannot
be contrived. So it is with the heart of faith (shinjin). Amida Buddha inspires
in us the same trusting response that a beloved parent does in their children.

When
such a reverential state of entrusting mind is realized—a faith that is free of
doubt and double-mindedness—people of shinjin find that there is only one way
to repay such boundless benevolence: Reciting the Name of their Great Benefactor
over and over again in gratitude and praise. Hence, "the expressive form is namuamidabutsu."